Third Annual Supermoms Against Superbugs Advocacy Day

Mike Taylor, deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, meets with Susan Boyle Vavra (left), a microbiologist at the University of Chicago, and Everly Macario, who lost her 1½-year-old son to an antibiotic-resistant infection.

Cheryl Perron (left), whose son lost his leg and nearly his life due to an antibiotic-resistant infection, talks about the need for stronger regulation to end the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture with Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA) (right). With Perron are Bethany Cook (center left), a registered dietitian, and Eiko Vojkovich, an organic farmer.

Tara Smith, associate professor of public health at Kent State University, is joined for the lobby day by her youngest son, William. Smith pioneered studies examining methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pigs and pig farmers.

Hog farmer Russ Kremer thanks Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY) (left) for her leadership on the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act. With Kremer are Laura Stanley (center left) and Pat Assortato of New York. After a 1989 farm accident in which Kremer contracted a dangerous antibiotic-resistant infection from his pigs, he became passionate about sustainable livestock production, including responsible antibiotic use.

Supermom Shanna Lubold (center) and Ami Gadhia of the March of Dimes pose with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI). Lubold’s son, Samuel, was born prematurely, and during his 14-week stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, he developed a staphylococcal infection, putting his already weak lungs in peril. With the help of antibiotics, he overcame his illness and is now a smart, healthy, and funny 3-year-old.

Julie James Ott, a sustainable farmer from Durango, Colorado, explains at a briefing for congressional staff members that antibiotic overuse is not necessary for raising livestock.

Sylvia Burgos Toftness (left) and Mary Anderson, both sustainable farmers in Wisconsin who use antibiotics only to treat sick livestock, meet with Representative Ron Kind (D-WI).

Pat Assortato (left) of Levittown, New York, and Sarah Henris of Bayville, New York—both members of New York’s Nassau Region PTA—speak with Representative Steve Israel (D-NY). Assortato and Henris collaborated with other PTA members on a resolution passed by the New York State PTA that calls for stronger regulation of antibiotic use on industrial farms.

Daniel Uslan, a physician, director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, and associate director of clinical epidemiology and infection prevention for the UCLA Health System, explains how once easily treatable infections are now taking lives because of antibiotic resistance. To help save antibiotics, UCLA Medical Center now serves meat raised without antibiotics in the hospital’s cafeterias.

Dee Churchill and her 13-year-old daughter, Kate, represent their family farm, Thousand Hills Cattle Co., in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where they raise grass-fed beef without antibiotics.

On May 7, 2014, Pew's human health and industrial farming campaign held the third annual Supermoms Against Superbugs lobby day on Capitol Hill. Thirty-three Supermoms and Superdads called on the Obama administration and Congress to advance policies that would end the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in food animal production. Representing doctors, farmers, business owners, and parents, the Supermoms shared their personal stories with their congressional representatives.

In addition to the more than 30 advocacy meetings that were held, several Supermoms highlighted their experiences at a policy briefing in the Capitol Visitor Center. Two farmers, one of whom contracted an antibiotic-resistant infection after being gored by a boar, an infectious disease doctor practicing at a hospital that serves meat raised without antibiotics, and a mother who lost her son to a MRSA infection (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) all spoke about the need to curb the overuse of antibiotics, particularly in livestock.

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